Seat

ABSTRACT

A seat for use in a passenger vehicle, e.g. for prisoner transport, comprises a molded piece having at least one first contact zone at a periphery of the molded piece and at least second contact zone located inward of the periphery of molded piece. The second contact zone may comprise a multi-surface formation that is configured to engage a multi-surface formation of a vehicle body. The molded piece may comprise one or more recesses designed to accommodate the body of a passenger. The at least one second contact zone may be disposed in an area of the seat that receives the buttocks of a passenger, thereby providing additional support in a load bearing area of the seat.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent applicationSer. No. 61,681,522 filed Aug. 9, 2012 the contents of which is hereinincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to seats and in particular to car seats.More particularly, though not exclusively, this invention relates toseats for use in police cars for transporting prisoners.

BACKGROUND

Prisoner transport seats for patrol cars, typically sedans, that arevacuum formed are currently anchored and supported to the vehicle bodyaround the perimeter in a zone that extends from the perimeter inwardfor approximately 4-8 inches. The center of the seat (under thepassenger's buttocks) is not supported and does not come in contact withthe vehicle. When a passenger is placed in the seat, the passenger'sweight, concentrated directly under the buttocks, tends to cause theseat to flex. This tendency to flex is counteracted by increasing thethickness of the seat material and having geometry upsets in the vehiclewhich add to the structural stiffness of the seat. These geometry upsetsconflict with the shape of the passenger's body, cause discomfort to thepassenger, and make it difficult for the passenger to slide into place.

What is required is an improved seat, in particular for prisonertransport. Also required is an improved arrangement for mounting aprisoner transport seat in other types of vehicles, such as SportUtility Vehicles (SUVs).

SUMMARY OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Advantages of One or MoreEmbodiments of the Present Invention

The various embodiments of the present invention may, but do notnecessarily, achieve one or more of the following advantages:

the ability to support a seat in a weight bearing area of the seat;

provide a vacuum formed seat with reduced manufacturing costs;

provide a vacuum formed seat that can use a thinner material;

provide a prisoner transport seat with increased lifetime due to reducedstress and fatigue;

provide a prisoner transport seat with increased comfort;

provide a support arrangement for a vacuum formed seat in an SUV;

the ability to mount a seat belt retractor underneath a seat;

the ability to centrally mount a seat belt retractor; and

the ability to mount a security grill.

These and other advantages may be realized by reference to the remainingportions of the specification, claims, and abstract.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In one embodiment, there is provided a seat for use in a passengervehicle that comprises a molded piece comprising at least one firstcontact zone at a periphery of the molded piece and at least secondcontact zone located inward of the periphery of molded piece. The atleast one second contact zone may comprise a multi-surface formationthat is configured to engage a multi-surface formation of a vehiclebody. The molded piece may comprise one or more recesses designed toaccommodate the body of a passenger. The at least one second contactzone may be disposed in an area of the seat that receives the buttocksof a passenger.

In one embodiment, there is provided a method for installing the rearpassenger seat in a rear passenger bay of a vehicle. The method mayinclude securing at least one first contact zone to a first portion of avehicle body and engaging at least one second contact zone with a secondportion of the vehicle body.

In one embodiment, there is provided a vehicle seat support arrangementcomprising a cross frame member, at least one vertical support and atleast one seat support member extending from the vertical support. Thecross member extends between first and second sides of the vehicle. Thevertical support extends downward of the cross frame member and issecured to the floor of the vehicle. A seat may be secured to thearrangement with a body recess portion of the seat supported by the seatsupport member.

In one embodiment, there is provided a method of securing a single piecemolded seat within a rear passenger bay of a vehicle using the vehicleseat support arrangement. The method may include locating the seatsupport framework within the vehicle and securing the cross member atfirst and second sides of the vehicle, such as at seat belt anchorpoints of the vehicle. The vertical supports may be secured at the floorand then the seat may be secured to the framework.

The above description sets forth, rather broadly, a summary of oneembodiment of the present invention so that the detailed descriptionthat follows may be better understood and contributions of the presentinvention to the art may be better appreciated. Some of the embodimentsof the present invention may not include all of the features orcharacteristics listed in the above summary. There are, of course,additional features of the invention that will be described below andwill form the subject matter of claims. In this respect, beforeexplaining at least one preferred embodiment of the invention in detail,it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of the construction and to the arrangement ofthe components set forth in the following description or as illustratedin the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and ofbeing practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to beunderstood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are forthe purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is substantially a plan view of one embodiment of the seat of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is substantially a perspective view of the seat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is substantially a side view of one embodiment of a seat showndisposed in a vehicle;

FIG. 4 is substantially a side view of an alternative embodiment of aseat shown disposed in a vehicle;

FIG. 5 is substantially a front perspective view of a molded seatinstalled in a vehicle;

FIG. 6 is substantially a rear perspective of the seat of FIG. 5 showinga seat belt retractor;

FIG. 7 is substantially a front perspective of a molded seat installedin a vehicle on a seat support framework;

FIG. 8 is substantially the view of FIG. 7 with the passenger and seatremoved;

FIG. 9 is substantially a rear perspective showing the seat supportframework;

FIG. 10 substantially shows the seat support framework in isolation;

FIG. 11 is substantially a side view of a cross frame member;

FIG. 12 is substantially a perspective of a mounting bracket;

FIG. 13 is substantially a side view of a vertical support; and

FIG. 14 is substantially a perspective view of the vertical support.

DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part ofthis application. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specificembodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown respective plan and perspective viewsof a seat 10. The seat 10 in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 is vacuumformed to be a single piece molding that can be inserted in the rearpassenger area of a vehicle, in particular, though not exclusively, apolice patrol car. Alternative methods for forming the seat may beapparent to the person skilled in the art and all such methods areintended to be encompassed herein. The seat molding 10 has a firstcontact zone 12 that extends substantially around the periphery of theseat and contacts the body of the vehicle. The first contact zone 12 maybe continuous around the periphery of the seat or may have a pluralityof discrete contact points around the periphery.

The seat 10 is molded to provide one or more recesses 14 thataccommodate the body profiles of one or more passengers. In theembodiment shown, two recesses 14 are provided for accommodating twopassengers, though a different number of body profile recesses may beprovided. It is a desirable characteristic when used as a prisonertransport seat for the profile of the recess to be able to accommodate apassenger that has their hands cuffed behind their back.

In addition to the first contact zone 12 around the periphery of theseat, one or more second contact zones 16 may be provided in the innerarea of the seat away from the periphery. The second contact zone 16contacts the body of the vehicle and provides additional support in thearea of the body recesses 14. In one embodiment, the one or more secondcontact zones 16 are located in the area of the body recess 14 thatreceives the buttocks of the passenger. This prevents sagging andflexing of the seat in this area. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the secondcontact zones 16 provide a substantial contact area between the seat andthe vehicle.

An embodiment of the seat is shown in side view in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 showsthe seat 10 in place in the back seat area of a passenger vehicle. Theseat 10 rests on the vehicle body 20 in the first contact zone and thesecond contact zone. The seat may be affixed to the vehicle body 20 inone or more places around the first contact zone, i.e. around theperiphery of the seat 10. The seat 10 may be affixed by any suitablemeans including, without limitations, mechanical fasteners such asscrews, rivets, bolts, clamps, etc. as well as chemical fasteners suchas adhesives.

The second contact zone(s) 16 may be designed to engage with one or morestructural components or formations of the vehicle body 20. In theembodiment of FIG. 3, the vehicle body 20 is shown to have a projection22. The projection 22 provides a multi-surface structure having at leastone projecting surface 24 that projects from the surface 26 of thevehicle body panel 20. The seat 10 can be designed to have acomplementary multi-surface structure in the second contact zone 16 thatengages, rests on, nestles with or otherwise interlocks with themulti-surface formation of the vehicle body. The second contact zone maycomprise a first surface of the seat molding and a second surface of theseat molding that joins with the first surface at an angle, such as 90degrees, to form an edge. The edge provides a multi-surface formationthat can engage or nestle with a complementary multi-surface formationof the vehicle body.

In the embodiment depicted, the second contact zone includes aprojection 28 that projects to underneath the seat. The projection 28includes a side surface 30 that engages the projecting surface 24 of thevehicle body and an outer surface 32 that engages the vehicle bodysurface 26. The nesting or interlocking nature of the second contactzone and the vehicle body through the use of complementary multi-surfaceformations ensures that the seat remains engaged with the vehicle bodyin the second contact zone. The second contact zone is thus supported bythe vehicle body in this zone and the seat will not flex substantiallywhen a passenger is placed in the seat. The seat 10 may be secured tothe vehicle body 20 at the second contact zone, e.g. between the surface32 and the surface 26, by suitable mechanical or chemical fasteners suchas those described above. Shock absorbing or cushioning structure ormaterial may be placed in between the seat 10 and the vehicle body 20,e.g. at the second contact zone 16 or elsewhere, to reduce vibration,shock and discomfort.

As depicted in FIG. 3, the second contact zone is disposed in the recess34 of the seat that accommodates the buttocks of the passenger, thoughit will be appreciated that the second contact zone may be located inany position necessary to engage a structural component of the vehiclebody.

An alternative embodiment is depicted in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, thevehicle body includes structural framework 40 that projects from thepanels 20 of the vehicle body. The framework 40 is shown with a firstvertical surface 42 and a second horizontal surface 44 though the anglesof these multiple surfaces is not pertinent. The seat 10 is formed witha second contact zone 16 that includes multiple surfaces 46, 48 thatengage the vertical and horizontal surfaces of the framework 40. Themultiple surfaces 46, 48 form a projection that projects above the seatsurface, into the body recess.

The seat 10 is installed in place of any conventional pre-existing rearpassenger seat. That is, if a rear passenger seat is in place, the rearpassenger seat is removed prior to installing the seat 10. The seat 10is intended to be used directly onto the vehicle framework rather thanover an existing rear passenger seat.

The design of the seat can be made in conjunction with the vehiclemanufacture's CAD geometry of the vehicle. This can ensure that the areaof the seat under the passenger's buttocks comes in direct contact withthe vehicle body or structural framework. Accordingly, the seat 10 maybe different for different types of vehicle.

The central support improves the safety of the seat in the event of anaccident, helps the seat last longer due to less stress and fatigue andreduces the cost of the seat as thinner material may be used.

First Alternative Embodiment

An embodiment of a molded seat is shown in FIG. 5. The seat 100 isdepicted in situ in the rear passenger bay of a vehicle 110. Thisembodiment is particularly suited for use in sedans, though notexclusively. The lower periphery of the seat 102 is molded to correspondto the shape of the floor 112 of the vehicle. An upper periphery 104 ofthe seat engages with an upper body component 114 of the vehicle. Thoughnot shown in FIG. 5, the vehicle would ordinarily include trim elementsthat would engage with the side peripheries of the seat to prevent gapsthat, in addition to being unsightly, could allow persons to hide items,such as contraband, etc.

FIG. 6 shows the seat from a rear perspective. The seat has theadvantage of allowing a seat belt retractor 116 to be located in thecentre, underneath the seat 100, in a cavity of the seat as viewed frombeneath the seat. Prior art retractors are mounted on the top of theseat, which blocks some of the driver's rear view. Retractors that arecenter mounted beneath the seat can also be safer because the lockingmechanism activates sooner than other configurations. Mounting theretractor under the seat also allows more freedom for positioning andcan make more effective use of the available space.

A centrally mounted retractor can further assist in securing a prisonerin the prisoner transport seat because it does not require policeofficer to reach across the prisoner to the same degree.

Second Alternative Embodiment

In one embodiment, there is provided a vehicle seat support arrangementwhich will be described herein with reference to FIGS. 7 to 14. Thesupport assembly is particularly suitable for use in Sport UtilityVehicles (SUVs) and the like, though it is not exclusively for thispurpose.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a prisoner transport seat andsupport framework in situ in a vehicle. FIG. 8 is the same view as Fig.but with the seat and prisoner removed. The support arrangement orframework is shown in a rear perspective view in FIG. 9 with a seat andseat belt retractor system in place but with the left side mountingbracket (right side as shown in FIG. 9) removed for clarity.

The support arrangement 200, shown as an isolated framework in FIG. 10includes a cross frame member 210 that extends horizontally between afirst side 252 of the vehicle and a second side 254 of the vehicle. Thecross bar 210 is attached at the first and second sides by respectivefirst and second brackets 212, 214 at first and second attachment points262, 264. In one embodiment, the first and second attachment points 262,264 are the seat belt anchor points that are provided as standardfeatures in a vehicle, prior to the vehicle being modified for prisonertransport capabilities. The seat belt anchor points thus provide strongand secure attachment for the cross frame member.

Extending downward of the cross frame member 210 are vertical supports220, 221. While two vertical supports 220, 221 are shown, one or morevertical supports may be provided. The vertical supports 220, 221 extenddownward of the cross frame member 210 toward the floor 257 of thevehicle and are secured to the floor 257 of the vehicle by a bolt plate224. Each vertical support 220, 221 includes an outwardly extending seatsupport member 226.

The support arrangement 200 provides support to the seat 260. The seat260 is molded in a lower portion 262 to contour to the floor 257 of thevehicle. The upper portion 264 of the seat is molded to provide asurface that engages an upper surface 216 of the cross frame. The seatsupport members 226 provide support underneath a bucket section 268 ofthe seat that receives the buttocks of the passenger, i.e. in a weightbearing area of the seat. A back rest portion 266 of the seat restsagainst the vertical supports 220, 221.

A seat belt retractor 275 is anchored at a central contact portion 274between the floor mounting brackets 224 of the vertical supports andpasses through a slot 277 in the middle portion of the seat between thetwo body profile recesses. A connector portion 279 of the seat belt isanchored at a side anchor 278 and is fed through a slot 276 in the sideof the seat.

The seat support arrangement 200 is shown in isolation in FIG. 10. Inone embodiment, the cross frame member is sheet steel that is foldedinto a tube. A side view of the cross frame member 210 is shown in FIG.11. The tube may be formed from two separate stamped pieces 211, 213. Afirst piece 211 may be bent at 90 degrees to form the front 201 andupper 203 surfaces of the cross frame member. A second piece 213 may bebent at 90 degrees to form the back 205 and lower 207 surfaces of thecross frame member. The two pieces 211, 213 may be welded to form asquare tube. The back surface 205 may include one or more extensions orprojections that extend upward and facilitate connection of a securitygrill 256 as shown in FIG. 7.

The second piece 213 may include one or more apertures in the lowersurface 207 for receiving bolts to connect the vertical supports 220,221. Nuts 208 may be welded to the interior surfaces of the second piece213, in alignment with the apertures, prior to welding with the firstpiece 211. Alternatively, the apertures may be threaded in place of thenut 208.

The first piece 211 may also include one or more apertures 209 in asection of the sheet that will form the upper surface 203 of the crossframe member for receiving bolts to secure the seat to the cross framemember. Nuts (not shown) may be welded inside the cross frame member inalignment with the aperture 209. The bolt and bolt holes may serve thedual purpose of providing an upper anchor point for the sash of the seatbelt. While a single upper aperture is shown, multiple apertures may beprovided. Alternative attachments for securing the seat to the crossframe member will be apparent to the person skilled in the art.

Additional holes 217 and nuts may be provided on the rear surface 213 ofthe cross frame member for securing the security grill 256.

A right side mounting bracket 212 for mounting the cross frame member tothe right side of the vehicle (left side as shown) is depicted in FIG.12. The bracket 212 is substantially a plate 232 with one or moreapertures 234 for securing at the seat belt attachment points providedin the side body framework of the vehicle using bolts or other suitablefasteners. Other mounting points may be apparent to the person skilledin the art. The plate 232 may include one or more folds or bends toshape the plate for appropriate attachment. A cutout 236 in the plate isshaped to correspond to the cross frame member 210. For example, thecutout 236 depicted has a square configuration to accommodate the squareprofile of the cross frame member 210. The cutout 236 may include aprojection 238 that is located into a notch of the cross frame member tofacilitate the attachment of the bracket to the cross frame member, e.g.in a welding process. The bracket 212 may include a fold that produces asecond mounting face 237 that can be used for additional securing of thesecurity grill 256.

The bracket 212 may be stamped and folded from steel sheet, though othermaterials and manufacturing processes will be apparent to the skilledaddressee.

The vertical members 220, 221 are shown in detail in FIGS. 13 and 14.The term vertical is used herein to describe that the vertical membersextend in a generally vertical direction between the floor and the crossframe member. The vertical members do not need to be strictly verticaland their particular orientation will depend on the aspects of thevehicle, such as the required location of the seat, the seat belt anchorpoints, suitable locations on the floor for the floor mounting brackets,etc.

The vertical members may have an upper section 223 which may be a pieceof angle steel, tubing, or the like. The upper section 223 may becontinuous with a lower section 225 through a bend or fold to form anangle. Alternatively, the lower section 225 may be a discrete piece thatis connected at an angle to the upper section through a weld, bolts, orother suitable attachment.

The seat support member 226 may be welded or otherwise attached at oneend to the lower section. The seat support member 226 is cantilevered toextend outwards from the lower section 225 to a distal end and projectstoward the front of the vehicle when the seat support arrangement ismounted. That is, the seat support member 226 projects into the rearpassenger bay. The seat support member may be a piece of angle steelthat has a substantially flat upper surface 241 that is used to supportthe seat. The seat support member may include a projection at the endthat attaches to the lower section. The projection may be received in aslot or notch in the lower section to facilitate a welding process. Theseat support member 226 is shown as being substantially horizontal butmay be provided at any appropriate orientation sufficient to support theseat.

A lower mounting plate 224 may be welded or otherwise attached at thefoot or base of the lower section 225. The lower mounting plate 225 hasone or more apertures 229 and is used to secure the vertical support tothe floor of the vehicle using bolts or other suitable fasteners. Thelower mounting plate 224 is shown as substantially flat but may becontoured or shaped if required to match the shape of the vehicle floor.

An upper mounting plate 231 is attached, e.g. welded, to the top of theupper section 223. The upper plate 231 has an upper flat surface 233that sits against the lower surface of the cross frame member. The upperplate 231 may include one or more apertures 235 that allow bolts tosecure the mounting plate to nuts welded into the cross frame member asdescribed previously.

The seat support arrangement 200 of the presently described embodimentis relatively easy to install because it utilizes the pre-existing seatbelt pivot points. Additional advantages include that it can strengthenthe vehicle while provided support to the molded seat. Space underneaththe seat can be utilized when compared to convention rear passengerseats.

Although the description above contains many specifications, theseshould not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but asmerely providing illustrations of some of the embodiments of thisinvention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by theappended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by the examplesgiven.

What is claimed is:
 1. A seat for use in a passenger vehicle comprisinga molded piece comprising: (A) at least one first contact zone at aperiphery of the molded piece; and (B) at least one second contact zonelocated inward of the periphery of the molded piece, the at least onesecond contact zone comprising a multi-surface formation that isconfigured to engage a multi-surface formation of a vehicle body.
 2. Theseat of claim 1 wherein the molding comprises at least one body recessconfigured to receive the body of a passenger of the vehicle.
 3. Theseat of claim 2 wherein the at least one body recess is configured toaccommodate hands of the passenger behind a back of the passenger whenthe passenger is seated in the at least one body recess.
 4. The seat ofclaim 2 wherein the at least one second contact zone is locatedunderneath the at least one body recess.
 5. The seat of claim 2 whereinthe at least one second contact zone is located in a region of the atleast one body recess that receives the buttocks of the passenger whenthe passenger is seated in the respective body recess.
 6. The seat ofclaim 2 comprising at least two body recesses.
 7. The seat of claim 1wherein the at least one second contact zone comprises a first surfaceof the seat molding and a second surface of the seat molding that joinswith the first surface at an angle to form an edge, wherein the edge isconfigured to engage the multi-surface formation of the vehicle body. 8.The seat of claim 1 wherein the multi-surface formation of the vehiclebody comprises a projection, and wherein the at least one second contactzone comprises a first surface and a second surface that arecomplementary to respective first and second surfaces of the projection.9. The seat of claim 1 wherein the at least one second contact zonecomprises a projection above the seat.
 10. The seat of claim 1 whereinthe at least one second contact zone comprises a projection below theseat.
 11. The seat of claim 1 comprising a cavity in an undersidesurface of the seat that is configured to accommodate a seat beltretractor.
 12. A method of installing a rear passenger seat in a rearpassenger bay of a vehicle, the rear passenger seat comprising a moldedpiece comprising a periphery, at least one first contact zone at theperiphery of the molded piece and at least one second contact zonelocated inward of the periphery, the method comprising: (A) securing theat least one first contact zone to a first portion of the vehicle body;and (B) engaging the at least one second contact zone with a secondportion of the vehicle body, the at least one second contact zonecomprising a multi-surface formation that is configured to engage amulti-surface formation of a vehicle body.
 13. The method of claim 12wherein the rear passenger seat is installed into the rear passenger bayof the vehicle without a pre-existing rear passenger seat.
 14. Themethod of claim 12 comprising installing a seat belt retractor beneaththe seat.
 15. The method of claim 14 comprising installing the seat beltretractor substantially beneath the seat between a first passengerrecess of the seat and a second passenger recess of the seat.
 16. A seatcomprising: (A) molded means comprising: (a) peripheral contact meansfor contacting a vehicle body about the periphery of the molded means;and (b) inward contact means for engaging a multi-surface formation of avehicle body.
 17. The seat of claim 16 comprising body recess means forreceiving the body of a passenger, wherein the inward contact means isdisposed in the body recess means.
 18. The seat of claim 16 wherein theinward contact means projects upward of the molded means.
 19. The seatof claim 16 wherein the inward contact means projects downward of themolded means.
 20. The seat of claim 16 comprising cavity means foraccommodating a seat belt retractor beneath the molded means.